On to 2016: Next Year's New England Patriots

Ross12 said:

If the Pats can get Amendola to restructure down to like $2m a season then I don't know if they really need to do much at WR. Edelman-Amendola-Martin as your top 3 ain't bad. Don't know what'll happen with LaFell but I wonder if they give him another year, actually being in TC may help. Dobson was getting open deep this season before his injury so who knows what could happen there... Plus Tyms will be coming back and another year of development for Harper. WR isn't a massive "need" if they don't cut anyone in the top 4 mentioned...

There are some depth needs in a couple spots the roster (LB, RB come to mind) but it's really just the OL that needs fixing. And that may simply just need a change of coach (Googs gone) and a year of development for Jackson and Mason.

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Respectfully disagree. The Pats need an outside the numbers man/double beating receiver. 50/50 jump balls and all that goes with it. If they don't, and you can't count on any of the ones you have listed becoming that, they will run into the same issue they had this year. LaFell is done here because I've seen enough. I'd like to keep Amendola around, nice Edleman insurance. I'm not saying turn the offense into a downfield passing game again, but have the reciever that can get open 10-15 yards downfield outside will ad another dynamic. If it's a reciever they have to double at times, even better.

ViperGTS said:

Respectfully disagree. The Pats need an outside the numbers man/double beating receiver. 50/50 jump balls and all that goes with it. If they don't, and you can't count on any of the ones you have listed becoming that, they will run into the same issue they had this year. LaFell is done here because I've seen enough. I'd like to keep Amendola around, nice Edleman insurance. I'm not saying turn the offense into a downfield passing game again, but have the reciever that can get open 10-15 yards downfield outside will ad another dynamic. If it's a reciever they have to double at times, even better.

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I hear what you're saying, having the guy who can win jump balls helps a lot. I'm hoping LaFell can get there, but I don't know. I posted a video in the other thread about WRs of Andre Holmes who is a FA this year, his highlight reel is full of winning 50/50 jump balls. Might be a good guy to look at.

Ross12 said:

I hear what you're saying, having the guy who can win jump balls helps a lot. I'm hoping LaFell can get there, but I don't know. I posted a video in the other thread about WRs of Andre Holmes who is a FA this year, his highlight reel is full of winning 50/50 jump balls. Might be a good guy to look at.

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I'll take a look. I'm thinking Alshon Jeffrey. I don't think he wants to go through a rebuild at this point. If they think he can stay healthy (which is an issue) then go for him. Proven, great route runner, and does other things as well. Sweeps etc. That is what they need. I feel it's the difference between winning next year or not.

Ross12 said:

I hear what you're saying, having the guy who can win jump balls helps a lot. I'm hoping LaFell can get there, but I don't know. I posted a video in the other thread about WRs of Andre Holmes who is a FA this year, his highlight reel is full of winning 50/50 jump balls. Might be a good guy to look at.

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interesting. you don't necessarily need a name brand WR to be another red zone threat.

TommyBrady12 said:

interesting. you don't necessarily need a name brand WR to be another red zone threat.

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It isn't about the red zone. When Pey Pey needed a 3rd down conversion he went to Sanders outside. That's what they need, not just red zone. Does you no good if you can't get TO the red zone.

NE has made moves for FA WRs in the past...Emmanuel Sanders, S. Johnson, Moss. Most haven't panned out, but I can see them making a push for something in a fairly deep FA pool for wide outs. Man, it would have been nice if Sanders was on our side Sunday, he played stellar, six catches for 113 yards.

Wasn't Holmes on the team back in 2013 or 2012?

Anyway, I just want better OL play. The outside receiver thing is overrated IMO, when you have the corps that NE has. As long as Brady has time and has Edelman, Dola, Gronk, and even Lewis on the field, they're going to be damn near unstoppable.

My wish list this offseason:

1. Help the interior OL
2. Improve LB depth if Mayo doesn't come back

I'm struggling to come up with anything we "need" more than that. A good RB would be alright but IMO the running game failed this year due to bad OL play more than anything else.

ViperGTS said:

I'll take a look. I'm thinking Alshon Jeffrey. I don't think he wants to go through a rebuild at this point. If they think he can stay healthy (which is an issue) then go for him. Proven, great route runner, and does other things as well. Sweeps etc. That is what they need. I feel it's the difference between winning next year or not.

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Alshon is a great talent and would fit perfectly if he learns the system.

However, he has a long history of soft tissue injuries that keep him in the trainers room a majority of the time.

Furthermore, out here in Chicago, the expectation is he will be franchise tagged.

I would rather look at one of the two Bengals receivers and Matt Forte than go all in on a oft injured guy who will seemingly want to be paid elite wide receiver money.

KoolAid said:

NE has made moves for FA WRs in the past...Emmanuel Sanders, S. Johnson, Moss. Most haven't panned out, but I can see them making a push for something in a fairly deep FA pool for wide outs. Man, it would have been nice if Sanders was on our side Sunday, he played stellar, six catches for 113 yards.

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He wouldn't have been able to block.

He did have a good game though. That catch over Butler was huge.

ViperGTS said:

I'll take a look. I'm thinking Alshon Jeffrey. I don't think he wants to go through a rebuild at this point. If they think he can stay healthy (which is an issue) then go for him. Proven, great route runner, and does other things as well. Sweeps etc. That is what they need. I feel it's the difference between winning next year or not.

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Yeah, a couple years ago I would've said no but Jeffrey has developed nicely recently. I would love having him but just question if they want to spend that much on him. I would expect a cheaper signing before that, but you never know.

A couple of thoughts on the OL:

A running game isn't something you can switch off and on. It needs ot be practiced and used. This is on McD - he needs to knock it off with 50+ passes every game, even if the pats suffer somoe growing pains early on next year.

This year's OL was incredibly inexperienced and with three rookies expected to do major things. That's hard - there really is a "rookie wall," so I'm not surprised the injuries started piling up at the end.

That said, seriously, WTF? I'm a fan of Stork, but Andrews was much better at center and as soon as Stork came back, the guy became invisible (and the OL was never as good). Stork can play Guard - it might be better for him, health-wise, given his concussion issues.

Get Andrews in the gym, add a few pounds of muscle and put him back in the middle of that line. I really think the interior OL with Mason, Jackson, Stork and Andrews will improve. I think Cannon should be in there, too, or he should be gone, because he's not quick enough to handle the speed rushers outside.

With all that said, they clearly need a steadying voice on that interior line...a vet who can take control out there. if they could get a solid tackle, fine - kick Vollmer inside and put him next to Solder.

On the outside, I'd love Sanu. Always liked him and doubt we could afford "better." wouldn't mind having Gibson back, if his leg's okay. I've never been big on LaFell, and Dobson's last chance is pre-season. Forgive me if I don't hold out hope that he'll come in a different guy.

And RB...I actually liked Jackson. His yards after contact were good and grueling. If they can't fix that OL and somewhat change their offensive philosophy, it doesn't much matter who's back there (except a Dion Lewis - but I doubt he'll be starting the season or back to any reasonable form before late in the year).